Guns on campus: Attributes of those who support legal handgun concealment

Allowing concealed weapons on a college campus is a contentious legislative issue across the nation. However, little information is known about the characteristics and attitudes of those who work and live on a university campus. This study explores the perceptions and attitudes of college faculty, staff, and students at a southeast Louisiana university regarding concealed weapons on campus. An approved random sample of faculty, staff, and student emails were drawn by the Office of Institutional Research. A total of 1,424 faculty, staff, and students were emailed an online survey that asked questions about guns, concealed weapons on campus, and demographic characteristics. After two email waves, a total of 564 (40%) faculty, staff, and students responded. Those who completed the survey were 65% students, 20% staff, and 15% faculty. Sixty one percent of respondents had a handgun in their household. Almost half (48.4%) believed that violence in the media contributes to gun violence. Those who support students carrying concealed handguns on their campus were more likely to: agree that teachers should carry concealed firearms (OR=4.88), currently have a concealed weapon permit (OR=2.52), be a NRA member (OR=4.65), ever play first person shooter games (OR=2.77), be a student (OR=4.31), be male (OR=4.06), and currently own a handgun (OR=3.76). While a majority of students (73%) believe it is okay for teachers to carry concealed handguns, most faculty and staff (87%) do not favor concealed handguns on campus. Support for allowing legally concealed handguns on campus is influenced by gun ownership and political affiliation.